Posted in Personal Journal Blog

Faith is not religion


Do you practice religion?

I used to believe in the bricks and mortar church, it’s leader and the community. I basked in the Sunday smiles and charity work being done and I felt I was where I was meant to be. I was working towards and living my divine purpose as I had learned to. I followed my heart and Gods discerning confirmations through the words of those around me and after a great deal of prayer to be surrounded daily by people of faith, I was granted a position as the Administrator to the Pastor and of the church that I grew up in. A place where my mother and brothers ashes lay.

I led with a compassionate heart and worked tirelessly. I observed for three and a half years the inner workings of that church and found that I didn’t like seeing the man behind the curtain. I watched deceit, pain, loss, prideful leadership, a pastor scratching to get out of a hole they had dug for themselves, and faithful community servants and staff run off as if their lives, contributions to the congregation and their children, and gifts meant nothing. The light that surrounded me was being snuffed out and as my heart broke, with great pain, I resigned.

I pray in earnest daily and nightly. I talk to God as if he is a friend by my side throughout the hours that pass. I feel a warm spirit around me that has been with me since my first memory. I know my higher power does not hold my love and faith to whether I attend a building full of people. I love everyone, inside the building and out. I try to see others point of view and sometimes I do and I don’t.

My practice of religion is in the words of hope that reside with me and my maker and I pray that my light shines on all those who come into my life. My religion is love, the one true meaning of being. Basking in all there is to love in the world doesn’t mean you are exempt from pain. I have had my fair share. It simply means your heart is soft and you can be open to all the good this world has to offer.

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I have had a wonderfully colorful life, rich with varied experiences. My ability as a singer and career as an administrative assistant/marketing communications manager; have presented me with a wide range of opportunities. I have been fortunate to work with and learn from some accomplished and intelligent business owners, executives and artists. I have explored the world, markets and non-profits I would have never dreamed of exploring. I started out performing in community theater then professionally in night clubs and working as a studio vocalist at the age of 12 in Naples Florida, my home town. My vocal studies began at the age of 8 with my mother who gave me my first vocal lessons. I have had the opportunity to learn with some talented vocal coaches since those lessons with my mother. With them I developed the ability to sing Classical, Jazz and Pop; which allowed me to make a living in the music industry for over 30 years, in America, Europe and NZ. I became proficient in handling the business end of performing and teaching and developed administrative skills that would be used more prominently later on in my life, which I cover further down in this piece. I managed all my own performance bookings and began promoting myself as an up and coming singer, beating the pavement in Nashville TN and learned how to sell my talents in a place where everyone and their mother can sing. Performing in front of large audiences has forced me to be more than skilled at holding my own. I have also been a studio singer and voice over artist, taught choir and private lessons and was the president of a local non-profit music school in NZ for 3 years. Once my husband and I began a family, my career focus shifted more to assisting others in their businesses, along with marketing and often selling their products. I took on the roles of Sales, Marketing Communications and Administrative Assistant full time. Environments where I have worked in these capacities have varied. The most joy I find in my career is having the ability to tap into my creative side where I have been encouraged to indulge in my love for creative and copy writing, both personally and for professionally. I worked in our own residential and commercial playground company and for a Website development/social media management company and cherished watching the birth of our new products become known to the public and seeing our client base grow. I have developed the skill for marketing and promoting products and services through the written word, but I am also a strong and persuasive sales person face to face. We moved from NZ where we had been for 12 yrs, back to Naples Florida in 2015. I took the position as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, at the church I grew up in. In my position there I used every skilled I had acquired over my lifetime, from administrative to performing as a vocalist/worship leader. I am a passionate employee and business woman and find it easy to fully immerse myself in my work while still finding joy in the day to day, what I do and the people in my life. My passions are still singing, promoting, creative writing, encouraging others to pursue their dreams while achieve their goals and being outdoors. I love my hometown of Naples and take advantage of all the beauty and outdoor opportunities it has to offer on a regular basis. Being an active person I work best when on the move and busy, socializing and intellectually stimulated. I also thrive in a situation where I have the opportunity to continue learning new skills. I work on being the best version of myself and strive to give it my best shot every day.

One thought on “Faith is not religion

  1. People are often surprised when I tell them I am not religious but a person of faith who has made a choice about how to live my life. When I use the analogy of football (Aussie Rules) in this case as being religiously followed they get it!

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